Inter Milan 4-3 (Agg: 7-6) Barcelona Player Ratings: Davide Frattesi’s Winner Powers Inter Into Finals After an All-Timer Semis Against Barcelona

Inter Milan reached the finals of the Champions League for the second time in three years after seeing off Barcelona in an epic semifinal tie. The tie produced 13 goals as Inter won the second leg 4-3 at a loud San Siro after drawing the first leg 3-3. In a game that was very tight to call, the pendulum swung plenty of times from one side to another. The defenders were fighting for their lives as attackers danced with the ball at their feet and the goalkeepers made logic-defying saves. Extra time was needed to decide the tie as Simone Inzaghi’s side used their battle-hardened heroes to best Barcelona’s young warriors.

The hosts stormed into a two-goal lead in the first half as Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring from close range. The Argentine was the creator of the second goal as he won a penalty that Hakan Calhanoglu calmly scored. Barcelona’s never-say-never attitude, combined with Inter Milan’s poor decision-making making turned the tie around. The reserve fullbacks, Gerard Martin and Eric Garcia, came up clutch to get one back for Barcelona. Martin then supplied Dani Olmo with a lovely cross as Barcelona drew level.

The visitors thought they won the game and the tie when they took a 3-2 lead on the night through Raphinha. But there were more twists and turns as Francesco Acerbi scored a fantastic flicked finish akin to a striker in the 92nd minute to make it 3-3. It forced extra time in a tie that neutrals fawned over and the fans fainted over. Davide Frattesi punished some questionable defending from Barcelona as he made it 4-3 to Inter in extra time. It was the point of difference as Inter Milan closed the game out expertly using all their experience. The semis would go down as one of the best ever in the history of the competition.

Inter Milan registered a first win in 6 games on the weekend as they triumphed against Hellas Verona. Simone Inzaghi’s men need to channel their inner defensive strength to keep a dangerous Barcelona attacking unit at bay. They were relieved to have Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard back, but the latter withdrew due to an injury again. Denzel Dumfries was the man of the moment as he needed to have yet another big night.

Barcelona produced yet another comeback to beat Real Valladolid in the league. They came back thrice into the tie already, but Hansi Flick would’ve wanted more control over these games. Barcelona, however, were mired with injuries as both their starting full-backs were unavailable. The influential right-back Jules Kounde’s absence left them banking on a lightweight defence. The attack had to bear the brunt if the Catalans wanted a spot in the finals.

If the first leg was an indication of anything to go by, there would be no shortage of goals in the second leg as well. Barcelona started the game with attacking intent, true to their motto. Lamine Yamal was in full swing as he took on multiple defenders with ease. They failed to find the end product early in the game. Inter Milan did their homework as their shape at the back was compact. Their players were happily playing the ball out of defence and making use of Barcelona’s high line with excellent pressing.

The good work paid off in the 21st minute as Inter Milan stormed into the lead in the tie for the fourth time. Federico Dimarco robbed the ball from Dani Olmo deep inside Barcelona’s half to force a turnover. The Catalans were badly out of shape as Dimarco released Dumfries, who was the coolest man in the house. The wingback drew a defender in before rolling the ball for Lautaro Martinez, who matched his run and slotted the ball home to make it 1-0 on the night.

Barcelona suddenly felt the urge to up their tempo as Pedri and Olmo took responsibility and came close to scoring. However, it also played into Inter’s hands as they looked very lively on the breaks. Martinez broke free yet again and was caught by Pau Cubarsi in what appeared like a good tackle. But the young centreback went through Martinez’s ankle to reach the ball, and that was enough for the VAR to award a penalty to Inter Milan. Tempers started simmering following the referee’s decision to award a penalty on minimal contact. Despite the little contact, it was the right call nonetheless.

Inter’s Mr dependable from the penalty spot, Hakan Calhanoglu, stepped up to take a huge kick. The Turkish international showed great nerves to send Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way and slot it into the bottom left corner. It doubled Inter’s lead before halftime and put them in a fantastic position heading into the break. It left Barcelona needing to mount a massive comeback in the second half. The ever-reliant attack was well contained by the determined Inter defence.

Barcelona knew the assignment and showed great urgency to get a goal back in the game. However, they were struggling to create clear-cut opportunities. Inter Milan thought they were 3 up when Francesco Acerbi headed in a free kick, but he was offside. Barcelona were looking for someone to set up as their dangermen were silenced. An unlikely duo answered the call.

Gerard Martin, the left-back, had a poor cross blocked, but he got a second bite of the cherry and delivered the cross again. His opposite fullback, Eric Garcia, got on the end of it and scored a fantastic volley to breathe life into the game. It gave Barcelona incredible momentum as the duo nearly combined again to score the equaliser. Garcia was denied by a fantastic cat-like save from Yann Sommer from point-blank range.

Martin, the unlikely hero, was determined to have more impact on this game as he helped his side bury the two-goal deficit behind. He floated in a lovely ball into the box as Olmo attacked it and deposited it into the back of the net to equalise the tie. There was a clear shift in momentum as Inter Milan’s decision to sit back backfired. The defence was no longer watertight, and the Catalans looked likely to score the next goal in the tie.

Mkhitaryan had his heart in his mouth as he took out Yamal on the edge of the box. The referee awarded a penalty but was asked to change his call as the contact was outside the box. There was a brief period of Inter Milan resurgence, but the visitors took over yet again, heading towards the final period of the game.

It was Raphinha who struck the decisive blow despite having a subpar game. The Brazilian collected Pedri’s pass and had a pop at Sommer. He got another chance as he buried the rebound into the net as Barcelona took the lead for the first time ever in the tie. The Brazilian thought he won the tie, but Inter Milan weren’t done yet.

Acerbi, the centre-back, pushed forward in the 92nd hoping for an equaliser. Dumfries delivered a fantastic cross for Acerbi, who finished expertly like a striker from a tight angle to score a fantastic third goal for Inter Milan. The veteran defender scored his first goal in over 2 years as he battled cancer and came back stronger. The game was level 3-3 on the night nd 6-6 on aggregate as the game resembled a tennis score.

The tie that kept on giving had more in store for us in the extra time as the hosts forced into the lead once again. Marcus Thuram held the ball and ran at Barcelona like a battering ram. His offload was laid off into Davide Frattesi’s path by Mehdi Taremi. Frattesi, who scored the winner against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, arrowed a fantastic left-footed strike into the back of the net. It forced Barcelona to fight all over again.

There was more to come as Barcelona were inches away from an equaliser. Robert Lewandowski, who came on as a substitute, missed a sitter from three yards out as Yamal found him with a cross in the second period of extra time.

Inter Milan reach a second Champions League final in three years as they maintain their strong home record in the competition. Despite their poor form and susceptible defending, they showed excellent character to reach the finals. They will discover their opponents in the next 24 hours. They face Torino in the league as they hope for a slip-up from Napoli to defend their Scudetto.

Barcelona’s hopes of a treble were quashed as they crashed out of the Champions League. Though they quite clearly overachieved in Hansi Flick’s first season, the manner of the defeat hurts them as they dominated most parts of the tie. They face Real Madrid in another El Clásico game that could potentially decide the league winner.

Here are the Inter Milan vs Barcelona Player Ratings.

Inter Milan Player Ratings

GK- Yann Sommer- 7/10

Started the night with a routine save from Yamal. Produced an unbelievable save to deny Eric Garcia his second after letting two goals in. His saves late in the game were brilliant.

CB- Yann Bisseck- 6/10

Stayed with Raphinha and defended the box brilliantly when needed. Failed to keep an eye on Martin as he delivered crosses.

CB- Francesco Acerbi- 7.5/10

Organised the defence incredibly well and was leading the way for his side with clearances and interceptions when needed in the box. Scored a rare goal like a striker to force extra time.

CB- Alessandro Bastoni- 6.5/10

Showed great confidence as he stepped out of the backline to combine with Dimarco to send Inter away. Made a couple of fantastic tackles in his penalty area. He was out of touch in the second half as he lost his cool.

RWB- Denzel Dumfries- 9/10

He was a menace on the break with his lightning pace and eye for a killer pass. Broke the lines with a beautiful run and squared the ball for Martinez for the first goal. Gerard Martin turned the tide in the second half against him. Got another assist late in the game.

CM- Nicolo Barella-6.5 /10

Showed his insane work rate between attack and defence. The linkup play was exemplary as the home crowd cheered his every touch and pass. Lost control in the second half.

CM- Hakan Calhanoglu- 7/10

Always happy to receive the ball under pressure from the defence and turn. Scored the penalty with ease to double his side’s lead.

CM- Henrikh Mkhitaryan- 7/10

Offered himself to Dimarco in support all the time to keep Yamal quiet. His ability to sprint into attacks at this age makes one applaud him for all his qualities.

LWB- Federico Dimarco- 7/10

He couldn’t wait for the end of this tie as he had had enough of Yamal going past him. But the wingback didn’t flinch as he won the ball and released Dumfries for the first goal.

ST- Marcus Thuram- 8/10

Had a subdued and quiet game as his strike partner took the spotlight. He was happy with making runs and occupying the centrebacks when things didn’t go his way. Kept on running throughout the game and played a key role in their 4th goal.

ST- Lautaro Martinez- 8/10

Matched Dumfries’ run to receive a simple tap-in and finish from close range. Made a fantastic run to win the penalty late in the first half.

SUB- Carlos Augusto- 6/10

SUB- Matteo Darmian- 6/10

SUB- Mehdi Taremi- 7/10

Laid the ball off gently into the path of Frattesi to pick up an assist.

SUB- Davide Frattesi- 7.5/10

Backed up his winner against Bayern Munich with another fantastic winner against Barcelona.

SUB- Piotr Zielinski- 6/10

SUB- Stefan de Vrij- 6/10

Manager- Simone Inzaghi- 7/10

He figured out how to tame the dangerous Barcelona side for the first half at least. His side defended with vigour first before going forward with swagger and imposing themself. The decision to park the bus blew up in his face as the Catalans ran riot. However, his side recovered late in the game to force the matter and get the result.

Barcelona Player Ratings

GK- Wojciech Szczesny- 6.5/10

Swept up the field to clear a couple of half chances. Had no chance for either goal as he was completely out of frame.Should have commanded his defence better in the closing stages of the game.

RB- Eric Garcia- 7/10

His lack of pace was exposed as Barcelona were caught short at the back whenever he attacked. However, he scored a screamer with a fantastic volley to reduce Barcelona’s deficit in the tie.

CB- Pau Cubarsi- 6/10

Made crucial tackles early on and thought he won the ball cleanly when he tackled Martínez. To his dismay, the referee thought otherwise and spotted the infringement committed by the youngster and awarded the penalty.

CB- Inigo Martinez- 6.5/10

Put himself in the line of fire a couple of times and came out on top. Having to play a constant high line made him chase the quick strikers of Inter, leading to rash tackles and a yellow card.

LB- Gerard Martin- 8/10

The youngster was taken to the cleaners by the power and pace of Dumfries, whom he barely managed to get a touch on. Became an unlikely hero as he assisted twice to help his side complete the comeback. Had a costly slip that resulted in the late equaliser for Inter in stoppage time of normal time.

DM- Frenkie de Jong- 7/10

The first to pick the ball from his centrebacks and advance it into the central areas, where he wreaked more havoc. Patiently rotated the ball till he had an outlet.

DM- Pedri- 7/10

More involved in the attack as Barcelona chased the game for long periods. Showed how good he was technically. Was full of stamina in the game, but the defensive part was lacking.

RW- Lamine Yamal- 8/10

He was moving with confidence and beating defenders for fun in the first half. However, had a rare off night as he missed the final ball. Sommer was in inspired form to save everything from Yamal. Ended up creating openings for others as he was often triple-marked.

CAM- Dani Olmo- 7/10

Lost the ball in the build-up to the first goal. He looked off pace in the entire tie before bursting to life and scoring the equaliser in the game with a superb header.

LW- Raphinha- 7/10

The Brazilian picked a terrible night to have an off as he was completely ineffective against Inter Milan’s defence until the 89th minute, where he scored. However, it wasn’t enough for his side to win the game.

ST- Ferran Torres- 4/10

Failed to make an impact as he had multiple chances in the first half. There were flashes of brilliance, but it wasn’t enough to beat the centre-backs.

SUB- Ronald Araujo- 5/10

Marcus Thuram dominated him in duels, and he was marking Acerbi poorly for the goal.

SUB- Fermin Lopez- 6/10

SUB- Robert Lewandowski- 6/10

SUB- Hector Fort- 6/10

SUB- Gavi- 6/10

SUB- Pau Victor- 6/10

Manager- Hansi Flick- 6/10

His side went two goals down for the second time in this tie as they defended poorly. However, he managed to keep a cool head and asked his side to turn around the situation with his quality. A few questionable subs have left his side short as they failed to see the game out and suffered a poor reverse.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to Denzel Dumfries